Fluid flow control devices for liquefied gas lighters



Dec. 15, 1964 TAISHO lKETANI FLUID FLOW CONTROL DEVICES FOR LIQUEF'IED GAS LIGHTERS Filed July 11, 1962 2 3 l W 2 7 6 6 Em .Zv 1 7 ZMv/////// 5 M .a. Q I ZMI-FIJI/ F /N|/NT0/e.-

771/5110 IKE TAN/ HTTORNEY.

United States Patent ice 3,161,033 FLUID FLOW CONTRGL DEVEES FOR LIQUEFIED GAS LIGHTERS Taisho Iketani, 589 Nogatacho-l-chome, Nalmno-ku,

' Tokyo, Japan Filed July 11, 1962, Ser. No. 209,141 Claims. (Cl. 67--7.1)

a'resilient block is arranged at a point along the fluid passage leading from the fuel reservoir to the burner tip of the lighter to substantially block the fluid passage with a limited fluid passageway defined between the resilient block and the rigid Wall of the fluid passage so that the rate of fluid flow to the burner tip is controllable by resiliently controlling the transverse cross section of the limited fluid passageway. V

According to the present invention, there is provided a fluid flow control device for a liquefied gas lighter havinga fuel reservoir, which comprises a generally cylindrical vertical stationary member secured to said fuel reservoir, a vertically movable member fitted in said stationary member, said stationary and movable members being formed to define a fluid passage therethrough communicating with the interior of the fuel reservoir on one hand and the burner tip of the lighter on the other hand, and a resilient block interposed betwen said stationary and movable members along said fluid passage so as to be subjected to a variable compressive force through the intermediary of said movable member, said resilient block having a portion adapted substantially to block said fluid passage in cooperation with a portion of at least one of said members to divide said fluid passage into two sections, said; block portion being formed to define a fluid passageway of limited transverse cross section to interconnect said passage sections, said fluid passageway being expandable and contractable with respect to its transverse cross section under said variable compressive force.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing showing several preferred embodiments, chosen by way of example, of the present invention. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a vertical axial cross section of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of same;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical axial cross section of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a further embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar toFIGS. 3 and 4 showing a still further embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures, the reference numeral 1 indicates a wall portion of the fuel reservoir of a lighter. As shown in FIG. 1, an

open-top cylindrical member 2 is fitted fast in an opening formedin the wall portion 1 and has a cavity including an upper main cavity portion 7 and a lower reduceddiameter cavity portion 8 defined at the lower end by the bottom wall 9 of the stationary member 2. The

bottom wall 9 of this embodiment has an annular groove 10 formed inside about the periphery of the bottom to define a central land or raised portion 11. An aperture 12 is formed through the bottom wall 9 to communicate the annular groove 10 with the interior of the fuel reserairless Patented Dec. 15, 1964 voir tank. Tightly fitted in the lower cavity portion 8 is a cylindrical block 4 formed of resilient material and having an axial bore 13 of substantial cross section. An apertured disc or washer 5 is placed on the cylindrical block 4 in alignment therewith. The movable member 3 has a fluid passage 14 formed axially thereof and an externally threaded top portion. The. stationary cylindrical member 2 has an internally threaded portion to threadably receive the externally threaded portion of the movable member 3 so that the latter may be adjustably positioned in the cavity in the stationary member 2. 1 An annular seal 6 is interposed between the movable member 3-and the peripheral wall of the upper cavity portion 7 to provide for fluid-tight sealing therebetween.

The resilient block 4 is formed in its surface opposite to the bottom land 11 on the stationary member 2 with at least one diametral slot 15 of limited cross section, which communicates with the axial bore 13 in the block 4 and extends the entire width thereof (see also FIG. 2). It is to be seen that the aperture 12 in the bottom 9 and the axial passage 14 in the movable member 3 intercommunicate with each other by way of the slot 15. It will be-understood that the annular groove in the bottom Wall 9 of the stationary member 2 serves to keep the aperture 12 from being sealed by the bottom surface of the resilient block 4 irrespective ofthe angular position of the diametral slot 15 relative to the aperture 12.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, the movable member 3 when turned in one direction is lowered through the cavity in the stationary member 2 to contact at the bottom with the upper surface of the washer 5. Continued lowering of the movable member 3 causes the resilient block 4 to be pressed against the land portion 11 of the bottom wall 9 of the stationary member 2 to gradually reduce the cross section of the slot 15, which is finally closed to interrupt the communication between the bottom aperture 12 and the axial passage 14 in the movable member and thus the communication between the fuel reservoir and the burner tip of the lighter. It will be readily understood that the movable member 3 thus placed to its lowest position may be raised by turning the member in the opposite direction to gradually remove the compressive force acting upon the resilient block 4 by way of the washer 5 so that the diametral slot formed in the resilient block 4 is gradually restored to its normal configuration allowing the fuel gas to pass through the slot at an increasing flow rate.

Referring next to FIG. 3, there is shown another embodiment of the invention, which includes a modified stationary cylindrical member 2 having a bottom wall 9 apertured to form an annular shoulder 16. Fixedly mounted on the annular shoulder 16j-is a disc 17 having a land portion 11, As shown in FIG. 3, the land portion 11' is recessed centrally thereof to form an annular ridge extending about the periphery of the disc 17. A

I radially extending groove 15' is formed in said annular v In this case, the resilient block 4 is solid and has a slot 15 in the top surface thereof unlike the resilient block of the first embodiment having a slot in its bottom surface.

. A further embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5 includes a resilient block4 having recessed grooves 15 and 15' in the top and-bottom surfaces thereof, respectively. The resilient block 4 is solid but a fluid passageway 18 is defined between the periphery of the block 4 and the inner wall of the lower reduced-diameter cavity portion 18 in the stationary member 2. It will be understood that the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 are arranged and constructed similarly to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that they are respectively featured as specifically described and shown above and operate in the same manner as the first embodiment.

It will be appreciated that, in use of a'lighter embodying the inventive device, the rate of fuel flow may conveniently and finely be controlled by varying the crosssectional area of a fluid passageway defined between a resilient block and an adjacent rigid member by applying a variable compression to the resilient block.

While several embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be evident that various changes in the construction and arrangement of parts may be made without exceeding the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid flow control device for use in a liquefied gas lighter having a fuel reservoir and a burner tip comprising a stationary member secured to said fuel reservoir, a movable member fitted to said stationary member, said stationary and movable members being formed to define a fluid passage therethrough communicating the interior of the fuel reservoir with the burner tip of the lighter, a resilient block interposed between said stationary and movable members along said fluid passageway so as to be subjected to a variable compressive force through the intermediary of said movable member, said resilient block having a portion adapted substantially to block said fluid passage in cooperation with a portion of at least one of said members to divide said fluid passage into two sections, said block being provided with a diametric passageway 15 formed in the bottom of said block, said diametric passageway 15 interconnects with said fluid passage connecting the interior of the fuel reservoir to the burner tip of the lighter, said diametric passageway 15 being expandable and contractable with respect to its transverse cross section under said variable compressive force.

2. In combination with a liquefied gas lighter having a fuel reservoir and a burner tip, the improvement of a fluid flow device to control the flow of fluid from the reservoir to said burner tip, said device comprising,

(a) a stationary member having an internal cavity and having a fluid inlet spaced from the bottom of said cavity for connecting said cavity in communication with said reservoir,

(b) a compressible member disposed in said cavity and positioned between the bottom of said cavity and said fluid inlet,

(0) a movable member mounted in said stationary member for axial displacement within said cavity,

(d) said movable member having a bore extending therethrough leading to said burner tip,

(2) said movable member having an end portion bearing on said compressible member for imparting a variable compressive force thereon,

(f) said end portion having an area less than that of the compressible member,

(g) said compressive member having formed on the upper surface thereof a radially extending restrictive passageway for connecting said inlet into communication with the bore of said movable member whereby the cross sectional area of said passageway is varied in accordance with the amount of compressive force imparted to said compressive member by axial displacement of said movable member.

3. In combination with a liquefied gas lighter having a fuel reservoir and a burner tip, the improvement of a fluid flow device to control the flow of fluid from the reservoir to said burner tip, said device comprising,

(a) a stationary member having an internal cavity terminating in a bottom wall, I

(b) said bottom wall having an aperture formed there- 4 in for defining a fluid inlet for connecting said cavity in communication with said reservoir,

(c) a compressible member seated within said cavity on said bottom wall,

(d) said compressible member having its peripheral wall portions spaced from the internal wall portions of said cavity to define an annular space therebetween,

(e) said compressible member having a groove formed in the bottom surface thereof for connecting said fluid inlet in communication with said annular space,

(1) said movable member having a bore extending therethrough leading to said burner tip,

(g) said movable member having its end portion bearing on the upper surface of said compressible member for imparting a variable compressive force thereon,

(12) said compressible member having a groove formed in the upper surface thereof for connecting said annular space in communication with the bore of said movable member,

(i) means for forming a fluid tight seal between said stationary member and said movable member,

(i) said grooves formed in said compressible member forming a restrictive passageway for controlling the flow of fluid from said reservoirs to said burner tip in accordance with the amount of pressure exerted on said compressive member by said movable member.

4. For use in a liquified gas lighter having a fuel reservoir and a burner tip, the improvement of a fluid control means comprising,

(a) a stationary cup shaped member extending into the fuel reservoir,

(1)) said cup shaped member having a bottom wall portion,

(0) a movable member mounted in said stationary member for axial displacement inwardly and outwardly of said stationary member, said movable member having a bore extending therethrough leading to said burner tip,

(d) means defining a fluid inlet formed in said stationary member for communicating the interior of said stationary member with said reservoir,

(e) a resilient block member fitted against the bottom wall portion of said stationary member between the fluid inlet means and the bore of said movable member,

(f) means defining a variable restriction for intercom necting said fluid inlet with said bore whereby the cross-sectional area of said restriction is varied in accordance with the compressive forces imparted to said block by relative movement of the movable member relative to said stationary member.

(g) said bottom wall portions having formed therein an annular groove circumscribing a central raised land portion,

(It) said fluid inlet being defined by an aperture formed in said bottom wall connecting with said annular recess,

(i) said variable restriction means including a diametric passageway formed in the bottom of said block whereby said passageway is in communication with said annular recess,

(j) and said block having a bore communicating with the bore of said movable member.

5. For use in a liquified gas lighter having a fuel reservoir and a burner tip, the improvement of a fluid control means comprising,

(a) a stationary cup shaped member extending into the fuel reservoir,

(b) said cup shaped member having a bottom Wall portion,

(c) a movable member mounted in said stationary member for axial displacement inwardly and outwardly J of said stationary member, said movable member having a bore extendingtherethrough leading to said burner tip,

(d) means defining a fluid inlet formed in said stationary member for communicating the interior of said stationary member with said reservoir,

(e) a resilient block member fitted against the bottom wall portion of said stationary member between the fluid inlet means and the bore of said movable memher,

(1) means defining a variable restriction for interconnecting said fluid inlet with said bore whereby the cross-sectional area of said restriction is varied in accordance with the compressive forces imparted to said block by relative movement of the movable member relative to said stationary member.

(g) said bottom wall portion is defined by an annular shoulder forming a fluid inlet,

(/1) a disc having a raised land formed therein to define a recess and a radially extending groove formed in said land communicating with said recess,

(1') said disc defining an annular space with the wall 6 of said stationary member so that said reservoir is in communication with said recess,

(j) said movable member having its bore open to said recess, i (k) and said block being interposed between said movable member and said fluid inlet,

(1) and said block having a bore therein for connecting said recess to the bore of said movable member whereby the compressive forces imparted to said block restricts the flow of fluid through said radially extending groove. i

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 20 EDWARD 1. MICHAEL, Primary Examiner.

MEYER PERLIN, Examiner. 

1. A FLUID FLOW CONTROL DEVICE FOR USE IN A LIQUEFIED GAS LIGHTER HAVING A FUEL RESERVOIR AND A BURNER TIP COMPRISING A STATIONARY MEMBER SECURED TO SAID FUEL RESERVOIR, A MOVABLE MEMBER FITTED TO SAID STATIONARY MEMBER, SAID STATIONARY AND MOVABLE MEMBERS BEING FORMED TO DEFINE A FLUID PASSAGE THERETHROUGH COMMUNICATING THE INTERIOR OF THE FUEL RESERVOIR WITH THE BURNER TIP OF THE LIGHTER, A RESILIENT BLOCK INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID STATIONARY AND MOVABLE MEMBERS ALONG SAID FLUID PASSAGEWAY SO AS TO BE SUBJECTED TO A VARIABLE COMPRESSIVE FORCE THROUGH THE INTERMEDIARY OF SAID MOVABLE MEMBER, SAID RESILIENT BLOCK HAVING A PORTION ADAPTED SUBSTANTIALLY TO BLOCK SAID FLUID PASSAGE IN COOPERATION WITH A PORTION OF AT LEAST ONE OF SAID MEMBERS TO DIVIDE SAID FLUID PASSAGE INTO TWO SECTIONS, SAID BLOCK BEING PROVIDED WITH A DIAMETRIC PASSAGEWAY 15 FORMED IN THE BOTTOM OF SAID BLOCK, SAID DIAMETRIC PASSAGEWAY 15 INTERCONNECTS WITH SAID FLUID PASSAGE CONNECTING THE INTERIOR OF THE FUEL RESERVOIR TO THE BURNER TIP OF THE LIGHTER, SAID DIAMETRIC PASSAGEWAY 15 BEING EXPANDABLE AND CONTRACTABLE WITH RESPECT TO ITS TRANSVERSE CROSS SECTION UNDER SAID VARIABLE COMPRESSIVE FORCE. 